Joseph C.

Carey
June 6, 2016
English-112-07
Prof. Intawiwat
Report
WHO
Most people are born with some type of disadvantage. These hurdles may be big or
small, economical or physical, imagined or imperceptible. The majority of people overcome
these obstacles and leave the debris behind them. Still others have to carry the weight of their
problems throughout their entire lives and maintain a constant struggle. People born with BiPolar Disorder fall in with the latter because there is no cure for their particular malady. For
them, it winds up being a never ending battle to sustain normalcy.
WHAT
People living with Bi-Polar Disorder endeavor severely to create an existence in our
modern world. They often simply want to cultivate a lifestyle that allows them to be a successful
and contributing member of society. It can become difficult for someone with this issue to make
an honest living simply because they find themselves unable to manage the stress of day-to-day
employment. It can also be quite painful to preserve personal relationships. For some, it simply
becomes easiest to isolate themselves from the people they love, a lucrative career, hobbies
outside of their protective bubble, and the daily grind of society as a whole.
WHERE
Sufferers may find themselves unable to function within the parameters we as a group
have instilled upon our public arenas, whether that be a place of work, the local bar, or even a
family picnic. Daily responsibilities often become unfathomable to someone who is in the throes
of a manic attack. Obligations may appear inconsequential and the result quickly becomes a red
flag to coworkers and bosses. In addition, the deep depression that affects many of these people

prevents them from leaving their safety zone. Appointments are forgone. Commonplace chores
in the outside world seem insurmountable. A fun night out becomes impossible.
HOW
The struggle is a lifelong affair. There is no quick fix. In addition, there is no counseling
or drug therapy that works for all sufferers. The diseases effects are described as a spectrum and
the people affected fall anywhere and everywhere on it. Medications are available to alleviate
some of the struggle associated with this disease, but a long and tenuous process between doctor
and patient is needed to establish a working regiment. Still then, as a person ages, that treatment
may have to be altered. On the converse side, a patient that over medicates to remedy the
eradicate behavior that is typical of Bi-Polar Disorder quite often becomes a numb zombie within
their own life. They may simply go through the motions and not really connect with the world
around them. This often becomes a much less desirable condition than having no treatment at al
WHY
Why would a person with Bi-Polar Disorder attempt to alter the inner fabric of their
being? Why make the choice to medicate? Why admit to a handicap that no one can actually
see? What drives a sick individual to find a cure, any cure? Survival. Pure and simple- a
chance. A chance to live a more normal life. One that reflects what they see in the world around
themselves. An opportunity to be useful and not burdensome. A chance to be as unhappy as
everyone else out there, but on their own terms.